October 13, (THEWILL) — The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, Auwal Musa Muhammed, has issued a stern warning to officers and men of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command against corruption, extortion, and unprofessional conduct.
He emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, will no longer tolerate acts capable of eroding public confidence in the institution.
AIG Muhammed gave the warning during an official working visit to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, on Monday, as part of his tour of commands under the Zone to assess operational performance, strengthen discipline, and reinforce the Force’s commitment to service excellence.
In his address to officers, the AIG commended the Akwa Ibom Command for its discipline, operational readiness, and commitment to combating crime, but cautioned that professionalism and integrity must remain the cornerstone of policing.
“Any officer caught engaging in corruption, extortion, or unprofessional behaviour will be decisively dealt with in accordance with Force regulations”, he warned.
He reminded officers that their role is to serve and protect, not to exploit or intimidate citizens. According to him, policing must be rooted in fairness, accountability, and respect for human rights if the Force must regain and sustain public trust.
“You are ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force. Your actions must reflect the values of the institution you represent”, the AIG added.
AIG Muhammed also reiterated the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, urging officers to stay clear of civil matters, especially land and family disputes. He said such cases should be left to competent civil authorities or courts, stressing that the involvement of police officers in such disputes often leads to abuse of power and public mistrust.
“Let me be clear: any officer found meddling in land matters or acting outside the bounds of the law will face disciplinary sanctions. We cannot afford to let a few bad eggs tarnish the image of this institution”, he declared.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, expressed appreciation to the visiting AIG for his continued guidance and oversight, noting that the visit was a timely morale booster and a reminder of the Force’s shared vision of effective, citizen-centred policing.
CP Azare assured the AIG that officers in the Command remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of discipline and professionalism in carrying out their duties and reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to intensify operations against crime and corruption while upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens.
The AIG’s visit featured an interactive session with the Command’s management team and senior officers, where operational challenges, welfare issues, and strategies for improved community policing were discussed.
The dialogue underscored the need for mutual trust between the police and the public in achieving sustainable peace and security.
The visit concluded with renewed commitments from both the Zonal and State Command leadership to promote a transparent, accountable, and citizen-focused policing system across Akwa Ibom and the wider Zone 6 area.
It also reinforced the ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force as a modern institution anchored on discipline, integrity, and public service.
